Artifact 7

How far do you think you can jump?

   This is a straightforward activity that gets students out of their seats and hopefully having a bit of fun too. In groups, students need to predict and then record the distance travelled during a standing long jump. The measurements can be done in non-standard and metric. All you need for this activity is the recording charts, metre sticks, tape (to mark where someone landed), and whatever you’d like to use for non-standard units (blocks, etc.).

Even very young students can do this activity as part of the Measurement strand, I would say even as young as grade 2, although they will require more supervision than if you were doing the activity in say a grade 5 classroom (theoretically). Estimating and measuring length is an essential component of measurement for most grades.

I would consider using this as part of the upcoming Measurement unit during my placement. I can predict that there may be some (hopefully) friendly competition between the students of who can jump farthest, and I only hope no one’s feelings get hurt. Barring student ego though, I think this activity could be used successfully as practice with recording measurements.